Phytosociological Analysis of an Oak-Hickory Woods as Part of a Study of Chipmunk Space and Resource Utilization Patterns

View/Open

Date

Author

Metadata

Abstract

Methods for performing a phytosociological analysis
were devised to identify areas of similar vegetation on
an oak-hickory woods site in Southeastern Michigan. The
analysis, part of a larger study. on the behavior patterns
of the eastern chipmunk, was primarily intended to suggest
areas where amounts of the animal's resources might be
similar. An assumption was made that plant composition
can be used as an indicator of environmental conditions,
which in turn can affect resource distributions. Methods
of the chipmunk study helped decide the nature of the
analysis. Contiguous 5 m x 5 m quadrants were surveyed for
d.b.h. of trees and percent cover of herbs and shrubs.
Cluster analyses were employed to arrange similar quadrants
into six groups; each of these were identified.by their
dominant characteristics. Usefulness of the procedures
and their results were then discussed.